McCarthy, Jennifer Kirby

Jennifer Kirby McCarthy, 76, of Pulaski passed away November 30, 2022. Jennifer was born on December 15, 1945, and raised in the Northwood area of Pulaski. Jennifer was the widow of Thomas J. McCarthy, Jr. She was the daughter of Russell Lee and Ruth Waller Kirby. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Russell “Buddy” Kirby and her beloved golden retriever, Jag.

She leaves behind her daughter, Susan Kirby Phillips and her husband, Cecil C. Phillips, III, and her two beautiful granddaughters, Madison and Kennedy, all of Woodstock, Georgia, and her faithful dog, Tucker. She is survived by many friends and colleagues.

Jennifer worked throughout her career in public education, as a librarian, including at Critzer Elementary School in Pulaski, Virginia; administrator; principal at Riner Elementary School in Riner, Virginia and Macy McClaugherty Elementary School in Pearisburg, Virginia; and for the Virginia Department of Education in Richmond where she was instrumental in the Adult Education and Literacy Program and the Career Switcher Program. She also taught at Hollins College. She attended of Christ Episcopal Church, and was a member of The Thursday Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Nu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International, and served on the Board of Directors of the Fine Arts Center of the New River Valley, and had served as Vice Chair on the Pulaski County Library Board. Jennifer graduated from Pulaski High School and received her undergraduate and Master’s Degree from Radford University, and had all study credits for her Doctorate from Virginia Tech.

There will be no service at Jennifer’s request. Burial will be with her beloved Tom at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia with a private graveside service.

Special thanks to Mary Katherine Woodie, Gary C. Hancock, Brandon Thompson, Intrepid Hospice (Marsha Merritt), and the Kroontje Health Care Center at Warm Hearth.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Pulaski County Library, 60 West Third Street, Pulaski, Virginia, 24301, to New River Community College Foundation, 5251 College Drive, Dublin, Virginia, 24084, or to The Fine Arts Center of the New River Valley, P. O. Box 309, Pulaski, Virginia, 24301.

The McCarthy family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.